| Cult of Mac

WhatsApp will start showing you ads in 2020

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WhatsApp stickers
It's time to upgrade if you haven't already.
Photo: WhatsApp

Conversations with your friends won’t be the only thing that shows up inside your WhatsApp next year. Facebook has confirmed ads will also start appearing in 2020.

You’ll see them in WhatsApp Status, the messaging platform’s answer to Instagram Stories.

How to get your Stories to show up on Instagram’s Explore tab

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Instagram lawsuit
Instagram is putting a bigger focus on Stories.
Photo: Pixabay

Instagram revealed today that it is making changes to its Explore tab to start promoting Stories from people you don’t follow.

The Explore tab is also getting redesigned with a new navigation bar that has shortcuts for Shopping and IGTV to go with channel topics that Instagram’s algorithms think you’ll be interested in. Adding Stories to the Explore tab gives users a new way to discover great content you don’t follow as well as giving your content another avenue towards peoples eyeballs. But actually getting your Stories onto the Explore tab isn’t all that simple.

Instagram gets more conversational with Question Stickers

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Instagram lawsuit
Instagram is beefing up Stories with loads of new features.
Photo: Pixabay

Striking up a conversation on Instagram just became as easy as slapping a sticker on your Story.

Instagram revealed today that it has added a new feature called Question Stickers that gives users a new way to ask and receive questions from followers so you can get more acquainted with each other.

Instagram now lets you add music soundtracks to Stories

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Instagram stories
Instagram Stories are getting more musical.
Photo: Instagram

Great music can turn crappy videos into a killer video and starting today, Instagram wants to make it way easier for you to up your music game on Instagram Stories.

Adding a soundtrack to Instagram Stories just got as easy as adding a sticker, GIF, or location. The app is rolling out an update today that gives users in 6 countries the ability to choose from thousands of licensed songs to put attach to your videos or photos.

Snapchat finally fixes its messy Stories feed for some users

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Snapchat Stories change
Your latest Stories are easy to find again.
Screenshot: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Snapchat has finally begun reviving its chronological Stories feed, fixing the mess that was introduced with its most recent visual revamp.

Some users now have a new “Stories” section in their Friends tab, which filters out those who haven’t posted anything in over 24 hours.

Snapchat adds group video chat and friend tagging

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Snapchat
Snapchat lets you video chat with up to 16 people.
Photo: Snapchat

Snapchat just rolled out a big update that gives users the ability to tag friends in Stories and enjoy chaotic group video chats with up to 16 people. It has also added support for even more ridiculous voice calls that support up to 32 people.

Snapchat promises changes after fierce backlash

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Snapchat
Snapchat lets you video chat with up to 16 people.
Photo: Snapchat

Snapchat has promised to make changes to its app after a Change.org petition attracted more than 1.2 million signatures from disgruntled users.

Snap has endured growing backlash from fans following a controversial redesign, with many calling for the company to revert to its old user interface. Now the company says it is planning adjustments to the Friends and Discover sections.

Instagram Stories is getting a new ‘Type’ feature

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Instagram
Instagram makes sharing Stories simpler.
Photo: Instagram

Instagram is taking another swipe at Snapchat with a new feature called “Type.” It allows users to post text to their Stories — without adding a photo or video — and it’s in testing now ahead of a wider rollout. Another Snapchat feature is also on its way.